Malaysia / China: Carving of the 'superiorman' Taiyi Zhenren, depicting his role in the 16th Century Ming Dynasty novel Fengshen Yanyi ('Investiture of the Gods'). From Ping Sien Si Temple, Pasir Panjang Laut

Taiyi Zhenren is a 'superiorman' in Chinese folklore and an important character in the Ming Dynasty novel 'Fengshen Yanyi'. His first name means 'primordial unity of yin and yang' while his last name is a Daoist term for 'Perfected Person'. He was the reincarnation of Tang of Shang, first emperor of the Shang Dynasty.

'Fengshen Yanyi' describes Taiyi Zhenren as the teacher to Nezha, foreseeing that the celestial boy would bring peace back to the Zhou Dynasty. Nezha would often flee back to Zhenren whenever he experienced great trouble, trouble that he often created, with the wise sage helping out his disciple however possible. He first helped Nezha deal with the Dragon King Ao Guang, then defeated and killed Madam Rockie when Nezha retreated into Zhenren's cave for protection.

Later on, after Nezha's death, Zhenren reincarnated him into a new body he had made from lotus roots, then armed him with his signature weapons and did not stop him from rushing off to try and kill his father. When Nezha was eventually defeated and bound by 'superiorman' Wenshu Guangfa Tianzun to a gold pole, Zhenren appeared and sat next to Guangfa Tianzun, telling Nezha that he had orchestrated the whole event to try and teach Nezha some discipline.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

Anandajoti

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